Other cases at risk as officers face charges

The arrests of three Zanesville police officers on drug charges continue to imperil criminal cases they investigated.

The arrests of three Zanesville police officers on drug charges continue to imperil criminal cases they investigated.

In the latest fallout, two convicted crack dealers are asking a judge to allow them to withdraw their guilty pleas and go to trial.

Jeremy L. Johnson and Joseph R. Dillon say they would have pleaded not guilty had they known the FBI was investigating officers involved in their cases.

"Obviously, that is the hallmark of the whole case, the credibility of the police officers," said Newark lawyer Greg Carter, who represents Johnson.

Muskingum County Prosecutor D. Michael Haddox opposes the move by the men's attorneys. The prosecutor said his staff was unaware of the FBI probe and thus could not inform the defendants' attorneys, Carter said.

Common Pleas Judge Mark Fleegle asked both sides on Monday to submit written arguments.

Ben Whitacre, Dillon's attorney, said his client was not afforded an opportunity to make an "intelligent plea." The prosecutor's office should have known about and disclosed the investigation of the officers, he said. Haddox did not return telephone calls yesterday.

Officers Sean Beck and Trevor Fusner were arrested Oct. 1 and charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and other charges in a scheme to rob a drug dealer of his wares.

In a separate case, Officer Donald Peterson and others were charged Dec. 12 with distributing a controlled substance.

All three men have pleaded not guilty. Beck and Fusner subsequently resigned as police officers.

Haddox has dismissed a few cases because of Beck's unavailability to testify -- he is jailed without bail -- and concerns over officer credibility.

Court records show that Beck and Peterson were involved in Johnson's case. Beck and Fusner worked on Dillon's case. Both cases stemmed from the same police investigation.

Johnson, 29, received a six-year sentence in September after pleading guilty to drug trafficking, drug possession and other charges.

Dillon, 29, also was sentenced to six years in August after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and drug possession.

rludlow@dispatch.com

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.